Q&A: My Interview with Doc and Darryl

The first Mets game I remember was in 1984, when I was nine years old. The majority of my family liked the Yankees. So, in an effort to be different, I picked the Mets, and I immediately took to Darryl Strawberry and Doc Gooden, who were young, exciting, a bit brash and powerful.

Last week, the Mets announced that Strawberry, Gooden, Frank Cashen and Davey Johnson have been inducted in to the team’s Hall of Fame.

I was able to meet up with Strawberry and Gooden at SNY’s studios, to talk about the Hall of Fame, role models in sports, and being my idols growing up watching baseball in the 80s.

To see the full seven-minute interview, click play here; otherwise, scroll down for written transcript:

Matthew Cerrone: I grew up a huge Mets fan, seeing you guys here together, in these jackets, is a thrill to be quite honest, as you’re really the reason I fell in love with baseball. At the same time, your careers kind of took a turn at the end, a lot of fans were disappointed, like myself, who kind of felt let down in a weird way. But, it’s awkward, because you were young men, professional ballplayers trying to find your way. How do you feel about role models in sports, now, looking back on your careers and how things went?

Dwight Gooden: Well, for me, role models start at home… Athletes, we’re human as well, we’re gonna make mistakes. Me and Darryl both were thrown in a similar situation at a young age, lots of expectations, and I felt for the most part we handled it very well. Obviously, we had some downfalls off the field, but we got our life together and things are going well and you can only learn from your mistakes and share that with kids and hope they don’t make the same mistake.

Darryl Strawberry: People always say, ‘Athletes are role models,’ but I don’t really think that’s the case. I think what we do is, we’ve been given a gift, to play sports and excel, and to try and do as well as we can. It’s like Doc said, role models are made at home, through parents, brothers, sisters, and in yourself… We handled the situation as well as we could have, as young men. I was 21, of course, and Doc was 19, expectations were high and the sky was the limit for us… You know what it is, I just think you’re naive when you’re that young. And you think you can do whatever you want to do however you want to do it. I think we all think that way when growing up. Our situation just happened to be playing big-league baseball, and being in a major spotlight. I think every kid will go through something, you see kids in college, at 21, and the different things that they go through, but it’s just we were doing it as professionals, getting paid and we were excelling on the field. But, there are lessons to be learned, no question about it. There were lessons for me to learn, and I learned them the hard way. Do I wish that up on anybody? No. I wish they can learn it the easier way.

Matthew Cerrone: I know you don’t think you were role models, but you are. It’s a weird conundrum. Because, on one hand, you don’t want to be a role model, but, like it or not, you are. I mean, I’m running around as a kid with a Doc and Darryl t-shirt on, looking up to you guys… my father bought it for me. So, that’s the reality. What do you tell your own kids, as they watch sports?

Dwight Gooden: I have young guys, my oldest son is 23, I also have a five year old, and my other two boys are in to sports now, they’re 13 and 15… So, with them, you just tell them, ‘Learn from my mistakes,’ and I share with them the choices I made. My biggest problem was trying to please others, trying to fit in, trying to be liked, and, when I would go home, and go back to Tampa, I wanted those guys to know I was the same guy, and I put myself in danger just trying to fit in. So, basically, I just try to share with them the experiences I went through and help them make better choices… and for them to have someone to talk to, even if it’s not me, someone they’re comfortable with, someone they can share things with, because that was another downfall I had. I could never share what was going on with me, I just bottled it up inside, because at a young age there was a lot expected of me, especially from my family, where, basically, I was the care taker, because, I figured, if I have a problem I can’t go to them, how are they gonna look at me? So, a lot of stuff I let build up inside, which with my kids, I try to teach them the opposite.

Matthew Cerrone: And yet, here we are, all these years later, and this is great, as Mets fans love you, you’re gonna be in the Mets Hall of Fame, and that’s great. How does that feel, to sort of come full circle and be back in the family… to hear the fans cheer again, that much be exciting?

Darryl Strawberry: Well, yeah, it’s definitely exciting for both of us. I mean, you think about our careers… You look at the fans, and you think of all the support and concern that Mets fans have had for us over the years for me and Doc because they believed in us and they saw what we did as players, and then they believed in us as a person too, but I think they just wanted to see us get our lives together and we were able to do that. To be able to be sitting here, to be able to say we’re being inducted in to the Mets Hall of Fame that’s an honor…

Dwight Gooden: It’s a great honor… not only to be inducted, but to be inducted with Darryl… I think we made eachother better. I know on days when I was pitching, if he hit a home run I wanted to go out and strike out the side… It was a great thing, and we were always there for eachother, whether we needed to talk on the plane or if he’d get on me for something for not doing what I was supposed to do. For all the things that took place, for it to come full circle and to be in the Mets Hall of Fame is just an honor and privilege…

Matthew Cerrone: Well, I can tell you, as a fan, I’m thrilled you’re gonna be in their Hall of Fame, but I’m even happier that you’re both doing well and that you’re back in the family again, and that’s great.

News, rumors, links and podcasts you may have missed during the Winter Meetings

Dec 8 | 12:15PM

SNY's final Winter Meetings Podcast

In their last podcast of the week, hosts Matthew Cerrone and Rob Brender answered several fan voicemails, talking about trading an outfielder, acquiring a new center fielder, why and how to improve the bullpen, and what is likely to happen before Spring Training...

Winter Meetings recap, and what's next for Alderson's offseason

It was a newsless Winter Meetings for the Mets, as it was for most teams, but it certainly wasn't quiet. In the end, the Mets held a lot of meetings where they talked with agents and team representatives for a variety of relief pitchers open to accepting major- and minor-league deals.

In an effort to free up a roster spot, raise money and have fewer left-handed hitting outfielders, the Mets spent time talking with teams about Jay Bruce, though they reportedly saw more interest in Curtis Granderson and Michael Conforto, which is understandable.

In the end, I expect the Mets will eventually trade Bruce and one of two things will happen, 1) They'll get back a big-league reliever making a decent salary, after which they'll use the difference to sign one or two more low-cost relievers, or 2) They'll trade Bruce for nothing, and use his entire $13 million to sign someone like Brad Ziegler, as well as one or two more low-cost relievers.

Mets idle, lose no one during ML phase of Thursday's Rule 5 Draft

The Mets did not add or lose any players during the Major-League phase of this Thursday's annual Rule 5 Draft, which is the final event each year the Winter Meetings.

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In case you missed it, Wednesday, at the MLB Winter Meetings

Dec 7 | 11:26PM

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Andy Martino on Winter Meetings00:03:57

Andy Martino discusses the latest from the Winter Meetings including the Nats-White Sox Trade, Yankees, Mets and Wade Davis to the Cubs.

MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone and Robert Brender recorded their final Winter Meetings Podcast, during which they answered questions about Andrew McCutchen, Dexter Fowler, Jose Abreu, what's going on with the Nationals, what will happen to Jay Bruce, Sandy Alderson's bullpen, and if Darrelle Revis will play in the AFL...

Alderson on payroll, trading outfielders, MLB markets and real estate

Dec 7 | 6:24PM

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Alderson on the Mets' outlook00:02:51

Steve Gelbs chats with Sandy Alderson to discuss the progress the Mets have made at the Winter Meetings and their remaining offseason plans.

Sandy Alderson talked with reporters late Wednesday and said, while he doesn't know that he'll make any deals before the end of the Winter Meetings, he's made progress in talks with teams and agents that he hopes will benefit the Mets before the end of the offseason.

Alderson also had the following to say about...

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Eaton will be traded to Nationals, now what happens to McCutchen?

The Nationals, who had reportedly shown interest in Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen, will acquire White Sox OF Adam Eaton for prospects Lucas Giolito,Dane Dunning and Reynaldo Lopez, according to multiple reports.

In this case, I really, really hope the Mets use this opportunity to get in on McCutchen.

Matthew Cerrone: In addition to starting pitching, the Rangers have reportedly been looking to acquire a corner outfielder or Designated Hitter, such as Jay Bruce. At the same, I've heard from MLB insiders that they've been offering up RH reliever Jeremy Jeffress, who the Mets had interest in acquiring last summer before he was dealt from the Brewers to Rangers with Jonathan Lucroy. It's worth also noting that Texas still has Lucroy, who the Mets were trying to trade for last summer, as well, despite saying they were committed to Travis d'Arnaud. I see no evidence that the Rangers are looking to deal Lucroy. But, if they are, I assume the Mets would be intrigued, despite again saying they're commited to d'Arnaud.

In the wake of trading Chris Sale to the Red Sox, multiple reports indicate the White Sox have started shopping several of their high-priced players.

So far, I have yet to read or hear of any rumors connecting the Mets to the White Sox. However, Chicago clearly has players that should be of interest to Sandy Alderson, specifically closer David Robertson and 1B Jose Abreu.

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Wheeler speaks about health, potential move to bullpen

Dec 7 | 12:25PM

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Wheels in motion00:02:52

Jon Hein and Marc Malusis discuss the Mets' plan of action for Zack Wheeler, including his possible use out of the bullpen.

Zack Wheeler spoke about his health and a potential move to the bullpen during an appearance at the Mets' annual coat drive at Citi Field on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old said he threw about three weeks ago and will do so again around Christmas in what he called a "normal offseason," according to Joe Trezza of MLB.com. Wheeler added that he has not felt pain since April and that "this is the best he's felt."

He was also open to the idea of moving to the bullpen to start 2017, something Mets GM Sandy Alderson mentioned prior to the start of the Winter Meetings this past Sunday.

"If I'm Fowler, I give up making $18-20 million a season and quickly grab one of those four-year, $60 million offers, because it might not be there if he waits," a team executive told me.

In regards to the Mets, this doesn't bode well for wanting to trade Bruce. And, it probably explains why reports now indicate Curtis Granderson and Michael Conforto are off the table. Because, if prices are dropping, it's not worth moving them.

What do the Mets have planned for the last full day of the Winter Meetings?

Mets GM Sandy Alderson should have at least one or two reasonable trades on the table for OF Jay Bruce, according to teams that have talked with the Mets.

However, because he's comfortable with slow-playing the free-agent market for relief pitchers, Alderson appears totally fine holding off on dealing Bruce for an arm, while letting the outfield market play out and revisiting his options during December.

"Things are generally slow," Alderson explained Tuesday, talking to reporters. "Hopefully things start to loosen up a little bit. ...Clubs are still trying to figure out exactly what they think is exactly the best way to go. The contours of the market are still a little bit vague, so you don't see a lot of movement."

What is Sandy Alderson's goal in trying to trade Bruce or Granderson?

The Mets are not yet willing to pay some of Curtis Granderson's $15 million salary or Jay Bruce's $13 million salary to help trade them during this week's Winter Meetings.

"Not at this point," Alderson said Monday, when specifically asked about the scenario.

Alderson is not usually this vague, though, which makes me think he'll eventually give in. However, right now, it's early enough in the off season that he isn't feeling desperate. Instead, I'm hearing they're more likely to give up a prospect or two in the deal, so the acquiring team is incentivized to absorb Bruce's $13 million.

Remember, the goal here is to a acquire as many relief pitchers as possible before the start of spring training, and I see Alderson eventually getting his men one of the following ways...

This is disappointing, if true. I'm sure it is, but I also know Mets GM Sandy Alderson and his front office tend to make statements based on what's happening at that specific moment, and it does not necessarily recognize where things are headed.

Remember, Alderson and his staff repeatedly told reporters that the Mets wouldn't release Jason Bay, Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez, nor would they be trading Carlos Beltran and RA Dickey, and they eventually did all of the above. I'm not saying the Mets will sign Fowler, or trade both Bruce or Granderson, I'm simply suggesting that we all take what they say with a grain of salt... because things have a way of changing as the environment changes around them...

By Matthew Cerrone | Dec 6 | 4:46PM

For the second time this offseason, Mets GM Sandy Alderson said he and his staff are planning to change the workload and routine of their starting pitchers, he told reporters Tuesday at the Winter Meetings.

Last month, Alderson said he is open to occasionally using a six-man rotation and mixing in spot starters so guys can get extended rest between appearances.

"If Blevins is willing to do a two-year deal, maybe Sandy Alderson can reel him back," MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone wrote Nov. 22. "But, if Blevins finds himself eventually weighing three-year offers, I bet Alderson passes and, instead, signs a veteran or two on minor-league deals."

Earlier Tuesday, Rosenthal said the Nationals would have included RHP prospects Lucas Giolito and Victor Robles in a deal with Chicago. However, they've been reluctant to put them in a deal for Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen, who they've reportedly been pursuing since last summer.

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MLB to raise money for field in memory of Shannon Forde

Dec 6 | 12:26PM

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In honor of Mets media relation executive Shannon Forde, who lost her long, difficult battle with breast cancer last March, MLB announced Monday it will renovate a youth field in Forde's honor in her hometown of Little Ferry, N.J.

"I think a picture says a thousand words," Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said at a press conference at the Winter Meetings. "This is the group that loves and misses Shannon every day."

To raise money for the project, which is part of their annual Play Ball program, MLB is auctioning off a number of unique opportunities, including a pitching lesson from Johnny Cueto, player and manager meet-and-greets, a dinner with Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez.